As Europe grapples with overtourism this summer, Norwegian cruise line Hurtigruten is taking a different approach to travel with the launch of its community-led Open Village initiative.The immersive experience is available in three remote coastal villages: Træna, Bessaker, and Sæbø.“As some of Europe’s best-known destinations struggle with the pressures of overtourism, our approach is deliberately different: slower, more meaningful travel rooted in genuine connection,” Hurtigruten Head of product Development Odd Tore Skildheim said.“These villages, with a combined population of fewer than 1,000, are not just points on a map.”Exclusively available on Hurtigruten’s Signature Line voyages from May through to September, these experiences have been devised with local input. From live concerts in fjordside churches to homemade traditional meals and self-guided cultural tours, guests get an authentic taste of daily life in these lesser-explored areas.
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In Bessaker, visitors are welcomed with a festive village parade, access to historic buildings, woodcarving demonstrations, and a taste of “sodd,” a traditional meat soup. Over in Sæbø, the dramatic landscape sets the stage for concerts and guided discussions on local culture and nature. Meanwhile, in Træna, one of Norway’s oldest fishing communities, guests explore cultural landmarks like the Petter Dass Chapel and the Træna Local Museum with the help of a custom guidebook.With up to 500 passengers on board each ship, Hurtigruten directly contributes 250 Norwegian Krone per guest to each community every time they visit.“For us in Bessaker, the Open Village contribution is about more than income, it is the foundation for growth and optimism in our community,” said Knut Johan Monkan of Coastal Host Bessaker.“In a village of just 170 people, 12 businesses benefit directly… The ripple effects are wide-reaching, and Hurtigruten’s presence is essential to creating a sustainable, living village and district.”
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In Bessaker, visitors are welcomed with a festive village parade, access to historic buildings, woodcarving demonstrations, and a taste of “sodd,” a traditional meat soup. Over in Sæbø, the dramatic landscape sets the stage for concerts and guided discussions on local culture and nature. Meanwhile, in Træna, one of Norway’s oldest fishing communities, guests explore cultural landmarks like the Petter Dass Chapel and the Træna Local Museum with the help of a custom guidebook.With up to 500 passengers on board each ship, Hurtigruten directly contributes 250 Norwegian Krone per guest to each community every time they visit.“For us in Bessaker, the Open Village contribution is about more than income, it is the foundation for growth and optimism in our community,” said Knut Johan Monkan of Coastal Host Bessaker.“In a village of just 170 people, 12 businesses benefit directly… The ripple effects are wide-reaching, and Hurtigruten’s presence is essential to creating a sustainable, living village and district.”
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